The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-06-30

CURRENT PHAsEsi0F TEMPERANCE REFORM.
Two current phases of the temperance
movement seem to indicate the tendency of
the public mind on this subject. One of these
is in Ohio, where meeting of nom partisan
temperance wor, ers has just been held and a
State organization effected. The meeting
was held at Columbus and was attended by
prominent temperance workers from different
parts of the State. The popularity of the
meeting was that the subject of party politics
was not mentioned. The proceedings show
no reference to the Republican or Democratic
party. There was no denouncing of one or
commencing of the other. The conven ton
let party politics severely alone and devoted
itself exclusively to discussing the temperance
reform and the best methods of promoting it.
The chairman, in his opening address, said:
1--WE are not here against any class or organi-
zation, but in the interest of all. We are, OF
course unalterably opposed to the saloon, be-
lieving it to the best interest of all persons
that that un-Amercan institution should be
wiped out. We are here to express our views
as to the best manner of accomplishing that
which may result in good order and the best
interests of society" This was the keynote
of the convention. The resolutions approved
the Dow law and the principle of local option,
not as party measures but as temperance
measures AS indicative of the operations of
the law we quote two of the resolutions
1--WE recognize and rejoice in the fact that
the local option law of the State has driven
the saloon from many towns, cities, and vii
lagos already, and promises much more good.
Its imperfections should be eliminated and its
powers enlarged.
I'VE favor the extension of the principle of
local option to townships and counties, so that
all citizens of the State may have the right to
vote for against the suppression of the
liquor traffic, and the will of the people alike
in town and county shall thus become the
law"
The local option principle was embodied in
the bill passed by the Indiana House of Rep
resentatives last winter, but which failed to
become a law, and in the opinion of the
Journal it offers, in connection with high
license, the most practical solution of the tenn
perance question within reach. Its indorse-
ment by the non partisan temperance workers
of Ohio is a proof of its practical merit.
Another current phase of the temperance
agitation is reported from Georgia, where the
anti-treating movement is becoming very
popular The movement had its origin in
Macon, among persons who though no total
abstainers, were still friendly to temperance
reform and decidedly opposed to the treating
habit This habit-which, by the way. is
peculiarly and distinctively American-fur-
nishes very large part of the business of
saloons, and is responsible for most
of the drunkenness that exists. The abolition
of the treating habit would in far be a
practical temperance reform. The movement
did not originate in Georgia, but the fact
that it is finding favor there is significant.
The parent society in Macon has large men,
bership, and branch societies are being
formed in other towns. The members simply
sign pledge mot to drink with ask anyone
to drink in any public place or elsewhere any
spirituous or malt liquors, wine or cider; nor
will I engage in any game of chance In any
public place elsewhere for liquor in any of
its forms, either spirituous or malt, as a for
felt" This, it will be observed, is not pro-
hibitory or total abstinence movement, but
practical reform movement directed against
a social custom that is undoubtedly response
BILE for much of the intemperance in the
United States.
These two phases of current agitation show
a disposition among the friends of temper
ance to discuss the subject on its merits,
apart from party politics, and to adopt such
measures of practical reform are best
adapted to meet and eradicate the evils of
intemperance
THE Indiana association of writer's, now